EFFECTS OF MORINGA LEAFAS A NATURAL ANTIOXIDANT ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, BLOOD LIPID PROFILES AND IMMUNE RESPONSE OF RABBITS UNDER MODERATE HEAT STRESS

Abstract

Heat stress has negative effects on the performances of growing rabbits. The rabbit sector is a more vulnerable to global warming and climate change. The objective of this paper was studying effects of moringa leaf meal (MLM) on performance, immune response, and blood lipid profiles of growing rabbits under moderate heat stress. Forty-eight V-line unsexed rabbits, 5 weeks old, with initial weight of 704.4±68.19 g were used and allocated randomly to four groups of 12 rabbits each. Frist group fed basal diet free of feed additives (control). Second, third and fourth groups fed basal diet with 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 % MLM supplementation, respectively. The results revealed that final body weight was significantly increased by the inclusion of MLM at 0.2 and 0.3 % compared with control. There was significant decrease in daily feed intake with an increase in the rate of MLM up to 0.2 %. Moringa significantly increased antibody titters against SRBCs compared with control group at 7, 14 and 21 days after vaccination. Also, it stimulated significantly IgM immune response of growing rabbits in comparison with the control group. Serum cholesterol, LDL and MDA levels were significantly decreased as MLM concentration administered increases. Significant increase in total antioxidant capacity was recorded due to MLM supplementation in comparison with control. Based on the experimental results, it is concluded that supplementing rabbits under moderate heat stress with MLM could be better strategy to improve immune response and blood lipid profiles.